Motion detector for controlling electrosurgical output

ABSTRACT

An electrosurgical instrument having a movement sensing device for controlling the electrosurgical output thereof, is disclosed. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the electrosurgical instrument includes an elongated housing, an electrically conductive element supported within the housing and extending distally from the housing, the electrically conductive element connectable to a source of electrosurgical energy, and a sensor disposed within the housing and in electrical connection with the electrosurgical generator. The sensor detects movement of the electrically conductive element and communicates a signal to the electrosurgical generator relating to the movement of the electrically conductive element. The source of electrosurgical energy supplies electrosurgical energy in response to the signal from the sensor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/448,520, filed on Feb. 20, 2003,and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/533,695, filed Jan. 1,2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to an electrosurgicalinstrument and, more particularly, to an electrosurgical pencil having amotion detector for controlling the electrosurgical output thereof.

2. Background of Related Art

Electrosurgical instruments have become widely used by surgeons inrecent years. Accordingly, a need has developed for equipment that iseasy to handle, is easy to operate, and is reliable and safe. By andlarge, most surgical instruments typically include a variety ofhand-held pencils, e.g., electrosurgical pencils, forceps, scissors andthe like, and electrosurgical pencils, which transfer energy to a tissuesite. The electrosurgical energy is initially transmitted from anelectrosurgical generator to an active electrode which, in turn,transmits the electrosurgical energy to the tissue. In a monopolarsystem, a return electrode pad is positioned under the patient tocomplete the electrical path to the electrosurgical generator. A smallerreturn electrode is positioned in bodily contact with or immediatelyadjacent to the surgical site in a bipolar system configuration.

For the purposes herein, the term electrosurgical fulguration includesthe application of an electric spark to biological tissue, for example,human flesh or the tissue of internal organs, without significantcutting. The spark is produced by bursts of radio-frequency electricalenergy generated from an appropriate electrosurgical generator.Generally, electrosurgical fulguration is used to dehydrate, shrink,necrose or char tissue. As a result, electrosurgical fulgurationinstruments are primarily used to stop bleeding and oozing of varioussurgical fluids. These operations are generally embraced by the term“coagulation.” Meanwhile, electrosurgical “cufting” includes the use ofthe applied electric spark to tissue which produces a cutting effect. Bycontrast, electrosurgical “sealing” includes utilizing a uniquecombination of electrosurgical energy, pressure and gap distance betweenelectrodes to melt the tissue collagen into a fused mass.

It is known that certain electrosurgical waveforms are preferred fordifferent surgical effects. For example, a continuous (i.e., steady)sinusoidal waveform is preferred to enhance the cutting effect of theelectrosurgical blade in an electrosurgical pencil or enhance thecooperative effect of the two opposing jaw members. A series ofdiscontinuous, high energy electrosurgical pulses are preferred toenhance the coagulation of biological tissue. Other types ofelectrosurgical waveforms are preferred for electrosurgical “blending”,“shorting” or fusing tissue. As can be appreciated, these waveforms aretypically regulated by the generator and are generally dependent uponthe desired mode of operation manually selected by the surgeon at theonset (or during) the operation.

As used herein, the term “electrosurgical pencil” is intended to includeinstruments which have a handpiece which is attached to an activeelectrode and are used to coagulate, cut, and seal tissue. The pencilmay be operated by a hand-switch (in the form of a depressible buttonprovided on the handpiece itself) or a foot-switch (in the form of adepressible pedal operatively connected to the handpiece). The activeelectrode is an electrically conducting element which is usuallyelongated and may be in the form of a thin flat blade with a pointed orrounded distal end. Typically, electrodes of this sort are known in theart as “blade” type. Alternatively, the active electrode may include anelongated narrow cylindrical needle which is solid or hollow with aflat, rounded, pointed or slanted distal end. Typically, electrodes ofthis sort are known in the art as “loop” or “snare”, “needle” or “ball”type.

As mentioned above, the handpiece of the pencil is connected to asuitable electrosurgical source (e.g., generator) which supplies theelectrosurgical energy necessary to the conductive element of theelectrosurgical pencil. In general, when an operation is performed on apatient with an electrosurgical pencil, energy from the electrosurgicalgenerator is conducted through the active electrode to the tissue at thesite of the operation and then through the patient to a returnelectrode. The return electrode is typically placed at a convenientplace on the patient's body and is attached to the generator by a returncable.

During the operation, the surgeon depresses the hand-switch orfoot-switch to activate the electrosurgical pencil. Then, depending onthe level of radio-frequency electrosurgical energy desired for theparticular surgical effect, the surgeon manually adjusts the power levelon the electrosurgical generator by, for example, rotating a dial on theelectrosurgical instrument. Recently, electrosurgical pencils have beendeveloped which vary the level of electrosurgical energy delivereddepending on the amount of drag sensed by the active electrode or by thedegree the hand-switch has been depressed by the surgeon. Examples ofsome of these instruments are described in commonly assigned U.S.Provisional Application Nos. 60/398,620 filed Jul. 25, 2002 and60/424,352 filed Nov. 5, 2002, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

Accordingly, a need exists for an electrosurgical pencil which isactivated without the use of hand-switches or foot-switches and whichcan automatically control the electrosurgical output from theelectrosurgical generator without manual intervention by the surgeon.

SUMMARY

An electrosurgical instrument having a movement sensing device forcontrolling the electrosurgical output thereof, is disclosed. In oneaspect of the present disclosure, the electrosurgical instrumentincludes an elongated housing, an electrically conductive elementsupported within the housing and extending distally from the housing,the electrically conductive element being connectable to a source ofelectrosurgical energy, and a sensor disposed within the housing and inelectrical connection with the electrosurgical generator. The sensordetects movement of the electrically conductive element and communicatesa signal to the electrosurgical generator relating to the movement ofthe electrically conductive element. The source of electrosurgicalenergy supplies electrosurgical energy in response to the signalcommunicated from the sensor.

It is envisioned that the sensor for detecting movement of theelectrically conductive element is at least one of force-sensingtransducers, accelerometers, optical positioning systems, radiofrequencypositioning systems, ultrasonic positioning systems and magnetic fieldpositioning systems.

Preferably, the electrically conductive element includes a longitudinalaxis defined therethrough and the sensor detects at least one of a axialmovement of the electrically conductive element along the longitudinalaxis, a transverse movement across the longitudinal axis of theelectrically conductive element, and a rotational movement about thelongitudinal axis of the electrically conductive element. In oneembodiment it is envisioned that the source of electrosurgical energytransmits a dissecting RF energy output in response to the detection ofaxial movement of the electrically conductive element along thelongitudinal axis. In another embodiment it is envisioned that thesource of electrosurgical energy transmits a hemostatic RF energy outputin response to the detection of transverse movement of the electricallyconductive element across the longitudinal axis.

It is envisioned that the sensor is at least one of a differentialparallel plate accelerometer, a balanced interdigitated comb-fingeraccelerometer, an offset interdigitated comb-finger accelerometer and afilm-type accelerometer. Preferably, the sensor includes a firstaccelerometer for detecting a movement of the electrically conductiveelement in an axial direction along the longitudinal axis and a secondaccelerometer for detecting movement of the electrically conductiveelement in a transverse direction across the longitudinal axis. It isalso envisioned that the sensor may include at least one piezoelectricfilm.

In one embodiment it is contemplated that the first accelerometer isconfigured and adapted to transmit an output signal to theelectrosurgical energy source corresponding to the axial movement of theelectrically conductive element, and the second accelerometer isconfigured and adapted to transmit an output signal to theelectrosurgical energy source corresponding to the transverse movementof the electrically conductive element. Preferably, each of the firstand second accelerometers is at least one of a differential parallelplate accelerometer, a balanced interdigitated comb-fingeraccelerometer, an offset interdigitated comb-finger accelerometer and afilm-type accelerometer.

In certain embodiments it is envisioned that the source ofelectrosurgical energy ceases supplying electrosurgical energy when thesensor does not detect a movement of the electrosurgical pencil for apredetermined period of time and/or does not detect a movement of theelectrosurgical pencil above a predetermined threshold level ofmovement.

It is further envisioned that in certain embodiments the source ofelectrosurgical energy resumes supplying electrosurgical energy when thesensor detects a movement of the electrosurgical pencil following thepredetermined period of time and/or detects a movement of theelectrosurgical pencil above the predetermined threshold level ofmovement.

These and other objects will be more clearly illustrated below by thedescription of the drawings and the detailed description of thepreferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated and constitute a partof this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and,together with a general description of the disclosure given above, andthe detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve toexplain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a partially broken away side, elevational view of anembodiment of the electrosurgical pencil in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate three embodiments of accelerometers suitable forin-plane sensing or forcing;

FIG. 3 is a partially broken away perspective view of an electrosurgicalpencil in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the indicated area of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the presently disclosed electrosurgical pencil will nowbe described in detail with reference to the drawing figures whereinlike reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. In thedrawings, and in the description which follows, as is traditional, theterm “proximal” will refer to the end of the electrosurgical pencilwhich is closest to the operator, while the term “distal” will refer tothe end of the electrosurgical pencil which is furthest from theoperator.

Acceleration is a physical quality which often must be sensed ormeasured. Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity withrespect to time. For example, acceleration is often sensed to measureforce or mass, or to operate some kind of control system. At the centerof any acceleration measurement is an acceleration-sensing element, orforce-sensing transducer. The transducer is often mechanical orelectromechanical element (e.g., a piezo-electric transducer, apiezo-resistive transducer or a strain gauge) which is typicallyinterfaced with an electrical signal or electrical circuits forproviding a useful output signal to a generator, computer or othersurgical console. Exemplary transducers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,367,217, 5,339,698, and 5,331,242, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference. An accelerometer is defined as aninstrument which measures acceleration or gravitational force capable ofimparting acceleration. Another type of force-sensing transducer is anaccelerometer. Exemplary accelerometers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,594,170, 5,501,103, 5,379,639, 5,377,545, 5,456,111, 5,456,110, and5,005,413, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

Several types of accelerometers are known. A first type of accelerometerincorporates a bulk-micromachined silicon mass suspended by siliconbeams, wherein ion-implanted piezo-resistors on the suspension beamssense the motion of the mass. A second type of accelerometer utilizes achange in capacitance to detect movement of the mass. A third type ofaccelerometer detects acceleration by measuring a change in astructure's resonant frequency as a result of a shift in the physicalload of the structure. It is envisioned that the accelerometers caninclude a piezoelectric film sandwiched into a weighted printed flexcircuit. It is also envisioned that at least one resistive flex circuitcould be used to detect the position and/or orientation of the surgicalinstrument rather than acceleration.

Turning now to FIG. 1, there is set forth a partially broken away side,elevational view of an electrosurgical pencil constructed in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure and generally referenced bynumeral 100. While the following description will be directed towardselectrosurgical pencils, it is envisioned that the features and conceptsof the present disclosure can be applied to other electrosurgicalinstruments, e.g., dissectors, ablation instruments, probes, etc.Electrosurgical pencil 100 includes an elongated housing 102 configuredand adapted to support a blade receptacle 104 at a distal end 103thereof which, in turn, receives an electrocautery blade 106 therein. Adistal end 108 of blade 106 extends distally from receptacle 104 while aproximal end 110 of blade 106 is retained within the distal end 103 ofhousing 102. Preferably, electrocautery blade 106 is fabricated from aconductive material, e.g., stainless steel or aluminum or is coated withan electrically conductive material.

As shown, electrosurgical pencil 100 is coupled to a conventionalelectrosurgical generator “G” via a cable 112. Cable 112 includes atransmission wire 114 which electrically interconnects electrosurgicalgenerator “G” with proximal end 110 of electrocautery blade 106. Cable112 further includes a control loop 116 which electrically interconnectsa movement sensing device 124 (e.g., an accelerometer), supported withinhousing 102, with electrosurgical generator “G”.

By way of example only, electrosurgical generator “G” may be any one ofthe following, or equivalents thereof: the “FORCE FX”, “FORCE 2” or“FORCE 4” generators manufactured by Valleylab, Inc., a division of TycoHealthcare, LP, Boulder, Colo. Preferably, the energy output ofelectrosurgical generator “G” can be variable in order to provideappropriate electrosurgical signals for tissue cutting (e.g., 1 to 300watts) and appropriate electrosurgical signals for tissue coagulation(e.g., 1 to 120 watts). One example of a suitable electrosurgicalgenerator “G” is disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,627to Orszulak, et al., the entire contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference. The electrosurgical generator disclosed in the '627patent includes, inter alia, an identifying circuit and a switchtherein. In general, the identification circuit is responsive to theinformation received from a generator and transmits a verificationsignal back to the generator. Meanwhile, the switch is connected to theidentifying circuit and is responsive to signaling received from theidentifying circuit.

Electrosurgical pencil 100 further includes an activation button 126supported on an outer surface of housing 102. Activation button 126 isoperable to control a depressible switch 128 which is used to controlthe delivery of electrical energy transmitted to electrocautery blade106.

Turning back to FIG. 1, as mentioned above, electrosurgical pencil 100includes an accelerometer 124 which is supported within housing 102.Accelerometer 124 is operatively connected to generator “G” which, inturn, controls and transmits an appropriate amount of electrosurgicalenergy to electrocautery blade 106 and/or controls the waveform outputfrom electrosurgical generator “G”.

In use, the surgeon activates electrosurgical pencil 100 by depressingactivation button 126 thereby allowing electrical energy to betransmitted to electrocautery blade 106. With activation button 126depressed, as the surgeon moves electrosurgical pencil 100 repeatedlyalong the X axis (i.e., in a stab-like motion), as indicated bydouble-headed arrow “X” in FIG. 1, accelerometer 124 transmits acorresponding signal, through control loop 116, to generator “G”.Generator “G” then interprets the signal received from accelerometer 124and, in turn, transmits a corresponding dissecting electrosurgicalenergy output (i.e., specific power and waveform associated withdissecting), via transmission wire 114, to electrocautery blade 106.

On the other hand, if the surgeon moves electrosurgical pencil 100 in adirection orthogonal to the X axis, for example, as indicated bydouble-headed arrow “Z” in FIG. 1, accelerator 124 transmits acorresponding signal, through control loop 116, to generator “G”.Generator “G” then interprets the orthogonal signal received fromaccelerometer 124 and, in turn, transmits a hemostatic electrosurgicalenergy output (i.e., specific power and waveform associated withhemostasis), via transmission wire 114, to electrocautery blade 106.

Accordingly, the electrosurgical pencil of the present disclosure willenable a surgeon to control the type of output and/or the amount ofenergy delivered to electrocautery blade 106 by simply movingelectrosurgical pencil in a particular pattern or direction. In thismanner, the surgeon does not have to depress any buttons or switcheswhich are disposed on the electrosurgical pencil 100 in order to produceeither a dissecting or hemostasis energy output in electrocautery blade106. As can be appreciated, the surgeon does not have to adjust dials orswitches on generator “G” in order to produce either the dissecting orhemostasis energy output in electrocautery blade 106.

Accelerometers suitable for position sensing or electrostatic forcingmay be formed with fixed and movable electrodes in many configurations.Several embodiments of accelerometers having in-plane motion sensitivityare shown in FIG. 2, along with an orthogonal coordinate system. Inparticular, as seen in FIGS. 2A-2C, a differential parallel plateaccelerometer is shown generally as 150. Differential parallel plateaccelerometer 150 includes an electrode 152, attached to a proof mass154, which is movable along the Y-axis thereby changing the gap betweenmovable electrode 152 and fixed electrodes 156 and 158. Motion ofmovable electrode 152, along the Y-axis, causes opposite changes incapacitance formed by electrode pair 152, 156 and 152, 158. In FIG. 2B,a balanced, interdigitated comb-finger accelerometer is shown generallyas 160.

Balanced, interdigitated comb-finger accelerometer 160 includes anelectrode 162, attached to a proof mass 164, which is movable along theY-axis thereby changing the overlap area between movable electrode 162and a fixed wrap-around electrode 166. In FIG. 2C, an offset,interdigitated comb-finger accelerometer is shown generally as 170.Offset, interdigitated comb-finger accelerometer 170 includes anelectrode 172, attached to a proof mass 174, which is movable along theY-axis thereby changing gaps between movable electrode 172 and a fixedwrap-around electrode 176.

While a single accelerometer 124 which can measure changes in theacceleration of electrosurgical pencil 100 in the axial (i.e.,X-direction), lateral (i.e., Y-direction) and vertical (i.e.,Z-direction) directions is preferred, it is envisioned that a pair ofidentical accelerometers or different accelerometers (i.e.,accelerometers 150, 160 and 170), as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, can be used.For example, a first accelerometer, such as, offset interdigitatedcomb-finger accelerometer 170, can be mounted within electrosurgicalpencil 100 such that a displacement of movable electrode 172 in theY-direction results in the transmission of dissecting electrosurgicalenergy by generator “G” to electrocautery blade 106 while a secondaccelerator, such as, another offset interdigitated comb-fingeraccelerometer 170, can be mounted within electrosurgical pencil 100,orthogonal to the first accelerometer, such that a displacement ofmovable electrode 172 in the X-direction results in transmission ofhemostatic electrosurgical energy by generator “G” to electrocauteryblade 106.

It is envisioned that any combination of accelerometers can be providedin electrosurgical pencil 100 in any number of orientations to measurechanges in acceleration in any number of directions including rotationalacceleration (Y-direction and Z-direction). It is also envisioned thatany combination of accelerations in the X-direction, Y-direction andZ-direction can also be detected, measured and calculated to effect theelectrosurgical output from Generator “G”.

In addition to accelerometers, it is envisioned that many other types ofsensors for detecting movement of electrocautery blade 106 can beprovided. Other types of force-sensing transducers may be used. Othertypes, including and not limited to, optical positioning systems,radiofrequency positioning systems, ultrasonic positioning systems andmagnetic field positioning systems may be used.

While an active electrode in the form of a blade has been shown anddescribed, it is envisioned that any type of tip can be used as theactive electrode of electrosurgical pencil 100. For example, the activeelectrode can be an elongated narrow cylindrical needle which is solidor hollow with a flat, rounded, pointed or slanted distal end.

It is further envisioned that the amount of time required for thetransmission of electrosurgical energy from the generator “G” to theelectrocautery blade 106, in response to an output signal received fromthe accelerometer 124 can be adjusted based on the degree ofresponsiveness desired by the surgeon. For example, a relatively shorterresponse time would be considered more responsive than a relativelylonger response time.

In addition, it is envisioned that the accelerometer 124 be providedwith motion detection algorithms which transmit energy cut-off signalsto generator “G” if electrosurgical pencil 100 is held motionless orlaid down for an extended period of time. It is contemplated that thesensitivity to activation of electrosurgical pencil 100, in response toan axial, vertical or transverse movement, may be decreased as timelapses from the last time that electrosurgical pencil 100 was used. Assuch, electrosurgical pencil 100 would be less likely to beinadvertently activated as more time elapses. In addition, the abilityto disable the electrosurgical pencil 100 when not in use improves theclinical safety of the device. The motion detection algorithmeffectively creates a “virtual holster” which keeps electrosurgicalpencil 100 from being inadvertently activated.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is set forth a partially broken awayperspective view of an electrosurgical pencil constructed in accordancewith another embodiment of the present disclosure and generallyreferenced by numeral 200. Electrosurgical pencil 200 is similar toelectrosurgical pencil 100 and will only be discussed in detail to theextent necessary to identify differences in construction and operation.

As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, electrosurgical pencil 200 includes afilm-type accelerometer or sensor 224 supported in housing 102. Sensor224 is preferably includes substrate 226 fabricated from an elastomericmaterial. Sensor 224 further includes an array of electrodes 228 (in theinterest of clarity only four electrodes 228 a-228 d have been shown)positioned around the periphery of substrate 226. Sensor 224 furtherincludes a proof mass 230 electrically connected to each electrode 228via electrical leads 232. Proof mass 230 is movable in any directionalong axes X, Y and Z thereby changing the gap distance between itselfand electrodes 228 and the resistance through leads 232.

Accordingly, motion of proof mass 230, along the X, Y and/or Z axisresults in transmission of a particular signal, through control loop116, to generator “G” (see FIG. 1). Generator “G” then interprets theparticular signal received from sensor 224 and, in turn, transmits acorresponding distinct electrosurgical energy output (i.e., specificpower and/or waveform), via transmission wire 114, to electrocauteryblade 106.

For example, with activation button 126 depressed, movement by thesurgeon of electrosurgical pencil 200 is directions along the X axis(i.e., in a stab-like motion), causes sensor 224 to transmit a firstcharacteristic signal to generator “G”. Generator “G” interprets thefirst characteristic signal and, in turn, transmits a correspondingdissecting electrosurgical energy output (i.e., a specific power and aspecific waveform associated with dissecting), to electrocautery blade106.

In a further example, with activation button 126 depressed, movement bythe surgeon of electrosurgical pencil 200 in directions transverse tothe X axis, such as, for example, along the Y and/or Z axes, causessensor 224 to transmit a second characteristic signal to generator “G”.Generator “G” interprets the second characteristic signal and, in turn,transmits a corresponding hemostatic electrosurgical energy output(i.e., a specific power and a specific waveform associated withhemostasis), to electrocautery blade 106.

It is envisioned that substrate 226 has a concave-like configuration. Inthis manner, when the surgeon holds electrosurgical pencil 200 still,proof mass 230 will have a tendency to return to the bottom of substrate226 and effectively reset itself automatically. In other words, aconcave-like substrate 226 can be self-centering and thus provideelectrosurgical pencil 200 with a self-resetting capability. It is alsoenvisioned that other shapes may be used.

Accordingly, the electrosurgical energy output of electrosurgicalpencils 100, 200 will be controlled by the natural movements of thesurgeon's hand and no specific thought is required to change thecorresponding energy output from a “dissecting” setting to a“hemostatic” setting and vice-a-versa.

It is envisioned that when electrosurgical pencil 100, 200 is heldmotionless for a predetermined amount of time and/or below apredetermined threshold level of movement (i.e., accelerometer 124and/or sensor 224 do not sense movement of electrosurgical pencil 100 or200 for a predetermined period of time and/or sense movement which isbelow a predetermined threshold level), electrosurgical generator “G”does not transmit electrosurgical energy to the electrocautery blade. Itis further envisioned that the sensitivity of electrosurgical pencil 100or 200 can be increased and/or decreased by adjusting the thresholdlevels of time and movement accordingly.

It is further envisioned that electrosurgical generator “G” beginsand/or resumes supplying electrosurgical energy to the electrocauteryblade when accelerometer 124 and/or sensor 224 detects a movement ofelectrosurgical pencil 100 or 200 after the predetermined period of timehas elapsed and/or after the predetermined threshold level has beensurpassed.

From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings,those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications canalso be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure. For example, embodiments of the presentdisclosure include an electrosurgical pencil having a button forcontrolling the electrosurgical energy output, in addition to the sensoror sensors discussed above. While embodiments of electrosurgicalinstruments according to the present disclosure have been describedherein, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited there and thatthe above description should be construed as merely exemplifications ofpreferred embodiments.

1-14. (canceled)
 15. An electrosurgical instrument, comprising: ahousing; an electrically conductive element at least partially supportedin the housing and extending therefrom, the electrically conductiveelement adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy; amotion sensor disposed within the housing and adapted to electricallyconnect to the source of electrosurgical energy, the motion sensoroperable to detect a movement of the electrosurgical instrument in aplurality of directions; and wherein the motion sensor is operable totransmit a signal to the source of electrosurgical energy forde-activation of a transmission of energy from the source ofelectrosurgical energy when the motion sensor does not detect movementof the electrosurgical instrument for a period of time at least equal toa predetermined period of time.
 16. The electrosurgical instrumentaccording to claim 15, wherein the motion sensor is at least one of anaccelerometer, an optical positioning system, a radiofrequencypositioning system, an ultrasonic positioning system, a differentialparallel plate accelerometer, a balanced interdigitated comb-fingeraccelerometer, an offset interdigitated comb-finger accelerometer, and afilm-type accelerometer.
 17. The electrosurgical instrument according toclaim 15, wherein the electrically conductive element includes alongitudinal axis defined therethrough and the motion sensor is operableto detect at least one of an axial movement of the electrosurgicalinstrument axially along the longitudinal axis, a transverse movement ofthe electrosurgical instrument transversely across the longitudinalaxis, and a rotational movement of the electrosurgical instrument aboutthe longitudinal axis.
 18. The electrosurgical instrument according toclaim 17, wherein the motion sensor includes: a first accelerometeroperable to detect the axial movement; and a second accelerometeroperable to detect the transverse movement.
 19. The electrosurgicalinstrument according to claim 18, wherein the first accelerometer isoperable to transmit a first signal to the source of electrosurgicalenergy corresponding to the axial movement, and the second accelerometeris operable to transmit a second signal to the source of electrosurgicalenergy corresponding to the transverse movement.
 20. The electrosurgicalinstrument according to claim 18, wherein each of the first and secondaccelerometers is at least one of a differential parallel plateaccelerometer, a balanced interdigitated comb-finger accelerometer, anoffset interdigitated comb-finger accelerometer, a film-typeaccelerometer, and at least one piezoelectric film motion detector. 21.An electrosurgical instrument, comprising: a housing; an electricallyconductive element at least partially supported in the housing andextending therefrom, the electrically conductive element adapted toconnect to a source of electrosurgical energy; and a sensor disposedwithin the housing and adapted to electrically connect with the sourceof electrosurgical energy, the sensor operable to detect a movement ofthe electrosurgical instrument as the electrosurgical instrument ismoved in free space, wherein the sensor is operable to transmit a signalto the source of electrosurgical energy for controlling a transmissionof energy from the source of electrosurgical energy based on themovement.
 22. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 21,wherein the sensor is at least one of an accelerometer, an opticalpositioning system, a radiofrequency positioning system, an ultrasonicpositioning system, a differential parallel plate accelerometer, abalanced interdigitated comb-finger accelerometer, an offsetinterdigitated comb-finger accelerometer, and a film-type accelerometer.23. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 21, wherein theelectrically conductive element includes a longitudinal axis definedtherethrough and the sensor is operable to detect at least one of anaxial movement of the electrosurgical instrument axially along thelongitudinal axis, a transverse movement of the electrosurgicalinstrument transversely across the longitudinal axis, and a rotationalmovement of the electrosurgical instrument about the longitudinal axis.24. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 23, wherein thesignal is operable to cause the source of electrosurgical energy totransmit a dissecting RF energy output in response to the detection ofthe axial movement.
 25. The electrosurgical instrument according toclaim 23, wherein the signal is operable to cause the source ofelectrosurgical energy to transmit a hemostatic RF energy output inresponse to the detection of the transverse movement.
 26. Theelectrosurgical instrument according to claim 23, wherein the sensorincludes: a first accelerometer operable to detect the axial movement;and a second accelerometer operable to detect the transverse movement.27. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 26, wherein thefirst accelerometer is operable to transmit a first signal to the sourceof electrosurgical energy corresponding to the axial movement, and thesecond accelerometer is operable to transmit a second signal to thesource of electrosurgical energy corresponding to the transversemovement.
 28. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 21,wherein the signal is operable to cause the source of electrosurgicalenergy to reduce the supply of electrosurgical energy when the sensorfails to detect at least one of: movement of the electrosurgicalinstrument for a predetermined period of time; and movement of theelectrosurgical instrument above a predetermined threshold level ofmovement.
 29. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 25,wherein the signal is operable to cause the source of electrosurgicalenergy to increase the supply of electrosurgical energy when the sensordetects at least one of: movement of the electrosurgical instrumentfollowing the predetermined period of time; and movement of theelectrosurgical instrument above the predetermined threshold level ofmovement.
 30. An electrosurgical system, comprising: a source ofelectrosurgical energy; an electrosurgical instrument coupled to thesource of electrosurgical energy, the electrosurgical instrumentincluding: an elongated housing; an electrically conductive element atleast partially supported in the housing and extending therefrom, theelectrically conductive element connectable to the source ofelectrosurgical energy; and a motion sensor disposed within the housingand in electrical connection with the source of electrosurgical energy,the motion sensor operable to detect a movement of the electrosurgicalinstrument in a plurality of directions, wherein the motion sensor isoperable to transmit a signal to the source of electrosurgical energyfor de-activation of a transmission of energy from the source ofelectrosurgical energy when the motion sensor does not detect movementof the electrosurgical instrument for a period of time at least equal toa predetermined period of time.
 31. The electrosurgical instrumentaccording to claim 30, wherein the source of electrosurgical energy isoperable to transmit a dissecting RF energy output in response to thedetection of an axial movement of the electrosurgical instrument along alongitudinal axis.
 32. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim30, wherein the source of electrosurgical energy is operable to transmita hemostatic RF energy output in response to the detection of atransverse movement of the electrosurgical instrument across alongitudinal axis.